Emanon cover

Emanon

Wayne Shorter · 2018

126 min · 10 tracks · jazz

A cosmic blend of intricate melodies and improvisational freedom, merging jazz with orchestral and electronic elements.

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Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Pegasus — This track opens the album with an expansive soundscape, showcasing Shorter's signature blend of complex compositions and spontaneous improvisation that sets the tone for the entire work.
  • →
    Prometheus Unbound — The piece combines innovative orchestral arrangements with Shorter's rich saxophone lines, illustrating his ability to fuse different musical traditions while remaining deeply rooted in jazz.
  • →
    Lotus — As one of the longest tracks on the album, Lotus features dynamic shifts in rhythm and mood, highlighting the ensemble's chemistry and Shorter's profound compositional skills.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental
73 /100
Alpine
Higher than 96% of albums we've rated

Emanon blends intricate compositions with improvisational freedom, showcasing Shorter's evolution in jazz.

What we noticed

  • The first four tracks feature complex arrangements with orchestral elements, while the subsequent live tracks shift to more spontaneous improvisation.
  • Each piece showcases intricate melodies that often intertwine with electronic textures, creating a layered soundscape.
  • The album's length allows for extended explorations of themes, with several tracks exceeding six minutes and building gradually.
Composition 25% of the score
8/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
9/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
7/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
8/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
6/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic exploration of themes
  • patient unfolding with improvisation
  • wave-like pacing throughout
  • immersive two-halves listening experience
  • deep concentration and engagement

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer quick, catchy tracks
  • need immediate gratification

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2018, Emanon is Wayne Shorter's first album in nearly a decade, following his Grammy-winning Without A Net from 2013. This project showcases his continued evolution as a composer and bandleader, featuring both studio recordings and live performances that reflect his mastery of jazz fusion and improvisation.
Stylistic neighbors
Herbie Hancock· Miles Davis· Chick Corea
New to Wayne Shorter? Find your way in →

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

Disc 1

  • 1 Pegasus 14:54
  • 2 Prometheus Unbound 8:19
  • 3 Lotus 15:16
  • 4 The Three Marias 12:29

Disc 2

  • 1 The Three Marias (Live In London/The Barbican, London, UK/2016) 27:31
  • 2 Lost And Orbits Medley (Live In London/The Barbican, London, UK/2016) 9:20

Disc 3

  • 1 Lotus (Live In London/The Barbican, London, UK/2016) 13:36
  • 2 She Moves Through The Fair (Live In London/The Barbican, London, UK/2016) 6:24
  • 3 Adventures Aboard the Golden Mean (Live In London/The Barbican, London, UK/2016) 4:30
  • 4 Prometheus Unbound (Live In London/The Barbican, London, UK/2016) 14:26

What to play next

Without a Net
Go back to

Without a Net

2013
Full Wayne Shorter discography Where to start with Wayne Shorter Artists like Wayne Shorter
crossover jazz fusion post-bop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata